Traveling, for many, is a chance to escape the mundanities of everyday life and explore new places, cultures, and experiences. For the protagonist of this story, the journey was not only about travel but reconnecting with his past, both emotionally and physically. After living in New York for nearly 30 years, he had never visited Europe, never even returned to his hometown of Berlin. This trip was a significant one attending a family reunion and visiting his late mother’s grave on her birthday.
But as is often the case in life, the best-laid plans go awry. What was meant to be a straightforward trip turned into a series of chaotic events, from missing his flight due to an absurd set of circumstances to nearly missing the family reunion altogether. Through all the running, the last-minute changes, and the absurdity of it all, the protagonist experiences the strange beauty of travel: it’s not just about the destination, but how you get there.
The narrative reflects on how travel, while a pursuit of discovery, often leads to more confusion than clarity. From a missed flight to running through a massive airport terminal, the protagonist’s journey to Berlin becomes a metaphor for life itself—filled with frustrations, unexpected moments of kindness (like the Lufthansa employee who helped him catch the flight), and a final sense of triumph when he makes it to his destination despite all odds.